When you're involved in a traffic accident, you may be injured or at least shaken emotionally and can't be expected to consider all the ramifications of such an accident. But the fact is, you can do many things to protect your legal rights and to advance your eventual claim for damages by gathering information at the scene. It helps to have an idea in advance of what to do so you'll know how to proceed after a traffic accident.

Steps

1

Ensure that you and your passengers are safe and, if possible, move your vehicle to a secure spot out of traffic. The safety of you and your passengers at the scene is of primary importance.

2

Get names and contact information of witnesses to your traffic accident. Ask for a phone number or email address, and read it back to them to verify it. Such witnesses may be vital when you seek to collect insurance payments. They also can assist on the scene in laying blame on the other driver if you are not at fault. You cannot expect or depend on the police to locate and record witness statements for you.

3

Take photos of the accident scene, including overall views of the accident in the context of street signs, intersections and other vehicles. Also get comprehensive photos of the damages done to your vehicle and to other vehicles, including pieces of glass or other parts of a vehicle strewn on the road. Get photos of any injuries to yourself or your passengers. Get photos of skid marks, wet streets or other indicators of the nature of the accident, including weather conditions and the time of day. Such photos can be taken on many of today's smartphones. If you lack such a phone, keep a disposable camera with you in your car for such an eventuality. Whatever you use, take many photos from a variety of angles. It's better to have too many photos than too few. Also, if you or a passenger suffers bruising or more vivid manifestation of a wreck injury a day or two later, take photos of that. Store copies of your photos immediately, perhaps using a USB drive for photos taken on a smartphone.

4

Do not make a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster or other insurance company representative soon after an accident. Such statements could be used against you in settling your case. If you need to make a legal claim for damages, it may be helpful to engage a traffic accident attorney for help.

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Tips

If a citation is issued to you after a traffic accident, you may be required by law to sign such a citation upon receiving it, but you are not required to admit guilt or assent to this citation. The driver at fault is not always held accountable at an accident scene, but may be held accountable at a later time in a legal proceeding or lawsuit. Again, collect your own evidence at the scene to help you with your case.

Make a note of the license plates of any vehicles involved in the accident, and get the driver's license number of the other driver if available.